Cuban gar (Atractosteus tristoechus) fish species and information / pictures of Cuban gar - Atractosteus tristoechus

Cuban gar (Atractosteus tristoechus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Atractosteus tristoechus

Common Name
Cuban gar

Biology
Found in rivers and lakes. Adults feed on other freshwater fishes and even birds. Young are preyed on by introduced Micropterus salmoides. The flesh is edible; but the eggs are poisonous to eat.

Classification

Classified By

Bloch & Schneider, 1801

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Gars (Lepisosteiformes)

Family

Gars (Lepisosteidae)

Distribution

Region

Central America

Distribution

Central America: Western Cuba and Isla de la Juventud.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

18 °C

Water Temperature To

23 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; demersal

Trophic Level

4.53 s.e. 0.71 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

200 cm

Common Length

100.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.6406 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquaculture: experimental

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (83 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Other (Ref. 4537)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated